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At least 37 killed in train-bus collision in UP

New Delhi: At least 37 people were killed and 17 injured when a train rammed into a bus at an unmanned crossing in Etah in Uttar Pradesh in the wee hours Thursday.

According to reports, the tragedy occurred at around 1.47 am when the Chhapra-Mathura Express train collided with a bus carrying members of a marriage party at an unmanned railway crossing in Thanagaon near Kanshiram Nagar district.

“Till now 37 dead bodies have been recovered and more are feared to be dead. We have learnt that the accident took place at around 1.47 am,” Kanshiram Nagar District Magistrate Selva Kumari J informed reporters.

Relief and rescue operation has started in full swing and top railway and city administration officials have already reached the spot to stock of the situation.

Most of the injured have been admitted to hospitals and community health centres of Kanshiram Nagar and Etah districts. Although majority of those injured are said to be out of danger, ten people are still reported to be in critical condition.

A team of railway doctors is also assisting the local medical staff in treating the injured,” Selva Kumari J said. For further inquiry about the accident, the railway officials have issued helpline number 9893566517.

According to officials, there were around 100 passengers in the bus at the time of the accident.

Meanwhile, expressing shock and profound grief at the loss of life, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakhs for the kin of each person killed, Rs 50,000 each for seriously injured and Rs 10,000 each for those with simple injuries. Separately, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has also announced compensation of Rs One lakh for the kin of the deceased persons.

The Prime Minister has also ordered an inquiry by Railway Safety Commissioner into the accident.

Confirming the development, a Railways spokesman said the inquiry has been initiated by the Ministry of Railways and it will be carried out by the Commissioner of Rail Safety.

The spokesman said the inquiry will go into the causes of the accident.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa and Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal have rushed to the mishap site.